Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum came before the Dallas County Commission at Monday’s commission meeting to request that more funding be alloted for next year’s medical budget at the Dallas County Jail.
“As the budget ran [last year] we only had $140,000 alloted for medical,” said Granthum. “Why that number was in there, I have no idea, because we’ve had medical bills before where one inmate required $250,000 -$300,000.”
According to Granthum, the sheriffs department is around $87,000 over the alloted $140,000 budget with two months remaining inn the fiscal year.
Granthum then showed the commission medical bill statement to show the inefficiency of the budget.
Granthum stated that he came before the commission before budget hearings begin next week so that the commission can see that more money needs to be alloted for next year’s medical budget.
“That’s why I’m here,” said Granthum. “The reason I’m here early is that I know budget hearings are next week.”
Following Granthum’s presentation, the commission unanimously voted to amend the $87,000 that the sheriff’s department had to spend over budget.
Earlier in the evening, two individuals came before the commission during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Elizabeth Smiley, Director of the Dallas County Schools Summer Feeding Program, delivered a report to the commission about the success of this year’s program.
According to Smiley, the program served over 5,000 meals across nine different feeding sites throughout Dallas County, 20 percent (1000 meals) more than last year.
Smiley thanked the commission for the opportunity to be the program’s director and for their support.
All of the commissioners commended Smiley on her performance as director.
“Mrs. Smiley has done and absolutely wonderful job,” said Commissioner Curtis Williams.